Pharmacy opening hours – August 2019
Prescribing of over-the-counter medicines is changing in Scarborough and Ryedale
Doctors
in Scarborough and Ryedale will no longer usually prescribe medicines that
patients can buy over-the-counter for a range of minor health concerns,
including hay fever, coughs and colds, aches and pains and sunburn.
Patients
are instead encouraged to visit their local pharmacy for advice and treatments.
There’s
no need to make an appointment to see a pharmacist, making it quicker and
easier for patients. It also helps free up GP appointment slots for those who
need them most.
Some
of the products to treat minor, short-term illnesses can be purchased
over-the-counter at a lower cost than that which would be incurred by the NHS.
Some
medicines are also available from other retail outlets such as supermarkets,
convenience stores and health food stores. These are usually general sales list
items and can be purchased without advice from a pharmacist.
Clinical
Commissioning Groups (CCGs) in Humber, Coast and Vale have adopted new guidance
issued by NHS England last year following the results of a public consultation
on the prescribing of over-the-counter medicines for minor, short-term health
concerns.
The
guidance does not affect the prescribing of over-the-counter treatments for
long-term conditions or more complex conditions, or where minor illnesses are a
symptom or side effect of a more serious condition.
The
NHS spends around £136 million a year on prescriptions for medicines which
could otherwise have been bought over-the-counter. By reducing the amount of
money the NHS spends on over-the-counter medicines, the NHS can give priority
to treatments for people with more serious conditions such as cancer, diabetes
and mental illness.
Dr
Phil Garnett, NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG Clinical Chair, said: “Our NHS
services are precious and by buying medicines over-the-counter for minor health
concerns from your local pharmacy or supermarket, rather than obtaining them on
prescription, we can make more efficient use of NHS resources and free up more
GP appointments for people who need them most.
“Having
home remedies to hand ensures people can self-manage minor illness or injury.
Medicines to keep in stock include pain relief tablets, antiseptic cream, cough
remedies and antihistamines.”
Alex
Seale, Senior Responsible Officer for Planned Care at the Humber, Coast and
Vale Health and Care Partnership, said: “CCGs in Humber, Coast and Vale are
working in partnership to ensure their populations are aware of the
prescription changes happening nationally within the NHS.
“Empowering
the public to self-manage minor conditions or injuries by buying products
over-the-counter is a positive behavioural change we need to embed into our
communities to ensure NHS resources are used effectively.”
Visit www.prescriptionchanges.co.uk for
more information about the prescribing changes and for a full list of
conditions for which over-the-counter medicines will no longer be routinely
prescribed.
Annual General Meeting is open to the public
Members of the public are invited to the Annual General Meeting of NHS Scarborough and Ryedale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) on Wednesday 24 July.
The event will be hosted at The Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough from 6.15pm.
Talking points will include the challenges faced by the NHS over the last 12 months, local health spending, developments in the area as well as the priorities of the CCG over the next year.
There will also be an opportunity at the end of the meeting to ask questions and have an informal chat with Governing Body members and staff from the CCG.
Amanda Bloor, Single Accountable Officer for the three North Yorkshire CCGs, said: “There have been a number of challenges faced by the NHS this year. However, we have seen some good progress in the work of the CCG, some examples being the work around the recruitment of international GPs and the continued efforts to encourage the local population to self-care and choose the right care first time when it comes to their health.”
“The AGM is a great opportunity for us to hear from members of the public and get their opinions on the work of the CCG and how we could improve our services. It is also a chance to provide local patients with more information on the services we commission first hand.
“We understand the importance of public engagement and hope the meeting will encourage patients to share ideas and feedback to the Governing Body. We look forward seeing new faces and welcoming back others.”
The AGM is open to everyone, but if you intend to come along, please email SCRCCG.enquiries@nhs.net, – refreshments will be available from 6pm for anyone attending.
If you want to attend and you have a disability, such as a hearing impairment, do get in touch and we can put measures in place to make sure you are able to fully participate.
Read MoreSave the Date for Annual General Meeting
Members of the public are invited to NHS Scarborough and Ryedale Clinical Commissioning Group’s Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 24 July.
The event will be hosted at The Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough from 6.15pm.
The meeting will include updates from members of the CCG’s Governing Body reflecting on progress over the last year. Current financial challenges faced by the NHS and projects on the horizon will also be discussed.
Amanda Bloor, Single Accountable Officer for the three North Yorkshire CCGs, said: “The AGM is not only a good source of information but a brilliant way to interact with patients on a more personal level.
“It helps us reflect on the challenges we have faced over the last year and showcase the successes we have had.”
The AGM is open to everyone, but if you intend to come along, please email SCRCCG.enquiries@nhs.net – refreshments will be available from 6pm for anyone attending.
Questions can also be submitted beforehand and should be sent to: Executive Assistant, NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG, Scarborough Town Hall – York House, St Nicholas Street, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO11 2HG or emailed to scrccg.enquiries@nhs.net no later than Monday 15 July.
If you want to attend and you have a disability, such as a hearing impairment, do get in touch and we can put measures in place to make sure you are able to fully participate.
Read MoreAutism Assessment service for children and young people
A specialist mental health care provider
is set to take on autism assessments for children and young people in
Scarborough and Ryedale.
The Retreat will take over Autism Spectrum Condition Diagnostic
Assessments for children and young people from school age up to their 18th
birthday.
The
Retreat specialises in providing high quality, effective and personalised
Autism and ADHD services to adults, children and young people across the North
of England.
Families
will receive more information about the new service – which will see
face-to-face appointments available in Scarborough and York, as well as
innovative virtual consultations – in letters being sent out this week.
Dr
Peter Billingsley, NHS Scarborough and Ryedale Clinical Commissioning Group’s
Associate Chair and the lead for mental health services in North Yorkshire,
said: “I am delighted we’ve been able to secure the services of The Retreat and
their partners, Healios, for autism assessments.
“The
Retreat has a reputation for excellence and will bring a level of experience
and expertise to the table that we believe will significantly enhance these
services for children and young people and lead to reduced waiting times and a
speedier diagnosis.”
Dr Kim
Bevan, Chief Officer (Clinical Services) at The Retreat, said: “We’re really
looking forward to working with families, children and young people from the
Scarborough and Ryedale area and this is great news for those people who need
our support.
“Here
at The Retreat we already assess, diagnose and support many people who are on
the autism spectrum. Our team of clinicians and health professionals achieve
excellent outcomes for these people and the feedback is extremely good.
“We
seek to fully understand each person and enable them to live a life that is
meaningful to them.
“We
will also be making good use of our dedicated virtual consultation service and
working with other digital consultation providers to ensure everyone who needs
it can access our service, wherever they live.”
The
service will involve diagnosing children who have not already been diagnosed,
in line with NICE guidance.
As
part of the service, the expert team at The Retreat will also be providing advice
to other professionals, including teachers, about whether to refer children and
young people for autism assessment.
York
Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, which previously provided behavioural
services in Scarborough and Ryedale, had been working with the CCG to identify
new providers after it decided it was no longer able to offer these specialist services.
Although the Trust
stopped accepting new referrals for autism and ADHD assessments in May, wider Community
Paediatric and Children’s Therapy services are unaffected by these changes and continue
to be provided by the Trust at Scarborough Hospital.
Patients who require general information or
advice about autism can visit the NHS website: www.nhs.uk